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Haven't seen a post in DAYS, so I became desperate. Let's roll through all the options for our left fielder (s) next year. Are you in favor of

A.) Standing Pat; How about letting In-House candidates, LJ Hoes, Nolan Reimold, Trayvon Robinson, fight for the spot?B.) Signing a Free Agent; With Melky Cabrera off the market, are you a fan of Josh Hamilton, Cody Ross, Nick Swisher, etc?C.) Re-signing Nate McLouth; We have Steve Pearce under contract through 2016, do we have a potential platoon here?D.) Moving Chris Davis to Left; We would be seeking offensive upgrades elsewhere, and hopefully CD can handle LF?E.) Other?

Honestly, I suspect the team tries to acquire an upgrade next month. If not I want Nate McLouth resigned and then he along with Reimold and Robinson to be our outfield. I've not given up on L.J. Hoes having some significant role. Though I would be in favor of more time in the minors with the outside chance he becomes an even higher OBP type player.

I wouldn't sign McLouth, and I don't think they will because he wants a multi-year. They Orioles have plenty of in-house options. The biggest, if they ever get his visa straightened out, is Henry Urrutia, the Cuban they signed last summer. He's slated for Bowie.

I'd look for an every day OF option, keeping Davis in the DH/backup OF roll. I have not kept up with signings, but there should be a few available who can fill the Orioles need for a #2 hitter and average LF defense.

Tillman is out of options and his stock has never been higher. Is this the time for the Orioles to move him in the right deal or slot him into the April rotation and, hopefully, be further rewarded for their patience?

Tillman being out of options must be a consideration. However, if they do move him they had better get a really good ballplayer heading into the prime of his career. Arrieta seems to me, to be the better trade chip. To my thinking he also has a higher upside long term. I only bring this up because Roch Kubatko has proven pretty astute at times. Where do the rest of you line up on this?

To my thinking a guy that hits 30 HRs and only bats .240 and strikes out way too often does not represent a good return. To me you want a guy that smacks 20 HRs and bats .275 or better with a fine OBP. Am I the only one that looks at it this way?

Am I wrong to think moving one of the younger arms in exchange for first rate positional prospects might be the better way to go? If we are going to continue focusing our drafts on arms. Perhaps it's time to replenish our system at positions this way. For 2013 I see us as a .500 team. I know that must sound pessimistic to most of you. But I enjoyed 2012 and want more of that. But looking at our farm system. I just do not see anything astounding on the horizon past Bundy. Yes, Gausmann perhaps, but we just do not even know about him just yet.

mikezpen wrote:I wouldn't sign McLouth, and I don't think they will because he wants a multi-year. They Orioles have plenty of in-house options. The biggest, if they ever get his visa straightened out, is Henry Urrutia, the Cuban they signed last summer. He's slated for Bowie.

Per Baseball Reference stats, McLouth doesn't hit righties that well and Reimold doesn't hit lefties that well. Platooning them doesn't seem too viable.And McLouth's OBA was only .342 in the leadoff slot last yr although he was very good in the postseason.

I'd rather they use the money for Saunders. Pitching , pitching, pitching.

mikezpen wrote:Per Baseball Reference stats, McLouth doesn't hit righties that well and Reimold doesn't hit lefties that well. Platooning them doesn't seem too viable.And McLouth's OBA was only .342 in the leadoff slot last yr although he was very good in the postseason.

I'd rather they use the money for Saunders. Pitching , pitching, pitching.

IMO this team should have the money for reasonable contracts for BOTH Saunders and McLouth,

mikezpen wrote:Per Baseball Reference stats, McLouth doesn't hit righties that well and Reimold doesn't hit lefties that well. Platooning them doesn't seem too viable.And McLouth's OBA was only .342 in the leadoff slot last yr although he was very good in the postseason.

I'd rather they use the money for Saunders. Pitching , pitching, pitching.

I don't see why we wouldn't be able to sign Saunders and McLouth both...easily. I wasn't suggesting McLouth platoon with Reimold, I suggested McLouth platoon with Pearce, who hits lefties well. McLouth has a .257/.346/.447/.793 career batting line vs RHP : Pearce has a .266/.343/.464/.807 career batting line vs LHP.